Quick Hits: Freeman, LeVangie, NPB/KBO, Aces

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman feels great about the strength of his left wrist; strength he believes he lacked at the end of last season. Mark Bowman of MLB.com wrote a detailed article that includes plenty of confident words from Freeman, who told reporters he began hitting earlier than he usually does, and even took batting practice in 25-degree whether just to see if he experienced any pain. “I have had zero problems.” Freeman said. “Everything feels great and everything feels strong.” Though he doesn’t regret coming back early after being hit by a pitch in May, Freeman experienced some frustration when his wrist fatigued during August and September. Notably, the two-time All-Star also had Lasik surgery to help alleviate some eye irritation issues he experienced while wearing contact lenses. Freeman also expressed his excitement to see top prospect Ronald Acuna arrive at the MLB level.

Some other interesting items from around MLB as we near the end of January…

Count Rick Porcello among those in the Red Sox organization who are excited about working with new pitching coach Dana LeVangie. A piece by Tim Britton of the Providence Journal gives some insight into a phone call between the two earlier in the offseason. “A couple of days after he got the pitching coach job, he called me and we talked for an hour on things he had mapped out for me coming into the season that I need to work on and get better with,” Porcello told reporters last week. Indeed, it seems as though relievers Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel have already had a great experience working with him during his time as the team’s bullpen coach. As for LeVangie, he says his time as the Red Sox’ bullpen catcher allowed him to get a feel for movement and spin rate of pitches, as well as identify specifics of a pitcher’s strengths and weaknesses.

The pursuit of financial security causes a handful of players to give up MLB 40-man roster spots every year in order to pursue opportunities in the NPB and the KBO, writes Kyle Glaser of Baseball America. Glaser tells the short version of Seth Frankoff’s story, though he’s just one of more than 100 ex-major or minor leaguers who played in Asian baseball leagues in 2017. While minor-league players on a 40-man roster earn just over $40K per year, players can make nearly 20 times that amount playing overseas. Other benefits of playing in the NPB and KBO include luxury apartments for foreign players, exceedingly high energy levels from people in the crowd, and a potential path back to the majors if they can improve their skill sets.

Zach Crizer of MLB.com lists right-handers Danny Salazar (Indians) and Jake Odorizzi (Rays), and left-hander Ariel Miranda (Mariners) as pitchers with the potential to reach “ace” status in 2018. Crizer uses some incredibly specific stats to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these three pitchers, showing a potential path to a breakout for each one. The piece includes videos and heat maps as well; it’s an intriguing read, particularly considering that Salazar and Odorizzi have been mentioned in trade rumors.

I like Odorizzi and Miranda, but their ceilings are mid rotation pitchers. You can make the argument that they could develop into a top of the rotation pitcher, but an ace is a kershaw or a scherzer, and that’s not happening.

I first I was going to label you as another mlbtr comment section blowhard. But the I looked at their stats. Not many players develop another pitch after the age of 27, or learn how to mix it into their repertoire. It can happen

Yeah, after winning the CY in 2016 and having to pitch 13 games in 2017 with 1 or less runs scored behind him, it sounds like Porcello needs help……..except it ain’t pitching, its offense…..and the RS haven’t really done anything so far in this off season to change that.

True. I only said screw this because I’m tired of waiting for more big FA names to sign. This upcoming seasons FA market will just be full of teams trying to sign Machado, Blackmon, Harper, and Donaldson.

I’ve always liked Rey Mysterio, even though I was never much of a WWE fan. Played WWE games as a kid, always picked Rey Mysterio, cuz he had coolest look, compared to all the other wrestlers, wearing that dope mask —

I’m much more likely to purchase their stock (NYSE: symbol: WWE) — (currently $34.35) than attend/watch their games… (Sorry!)

About that XFL though.. I definitely can’t wait for that! (XFL 2020 debut)

37 hrs allowed while pitching half his games in safeco Park. I’d bet he’s out of the rotation altogether before he’s a TOR pitcher. 49 homeruns allowed over roughly 200 major league innings? No thanks. The Odorizzi hype train has been going for awhile as well but he took a step backwards last season.

You know STL has been scouring the globe for a 1B option, right? I’m not suggesting anything, but if they were to trade Carlos Martinez — which they’re not — to get a package that doesn’t address that Achilles heel for them is the equivalent of ATL trading Acuna/Albies without getting an “ace” or soon-to-be ace. Doesn’t make sense, I don’t care how many of the top-100 you package together.

This article had me until Miranda??? Like what!? I’m all for looking for breakout players who emerge out of nowhere but seriously… what even remotely indicates that he can become an ace ‘this season’!?!?

Let’s take it one step at a time. Last season Miranda was a below average to poor starting pitcher. Let’s say if he can mix up his pitches a bit better and get those great results with the slider that he’ll, ready for it… he’ll be a decent major league caliber starting pitcher. Something he has yet to indicate in his major league career despite already being 28 years old.

But hey while we’re making bizarre breakout predictions — I also think that Christian Vasquez (Red Sox catcher) is a player to watch for someone who could turn into a bona-fide clean-up hitter. I mean he’s demonstrated the ability to make contact and hit 5 home runs last season. So all he has to do is swing for the fences a little more and he should be on pace for 30+ bombs and 100+ RBI. And my next prediction is that Aaron Judge is going to hit 110 Home Runs this season. His only problem last year was that he struck out in almost half of his at-bats. So if he just adjusts his approach a bit so that he makes contact in every At-Bat he should have no problem blasting at least 110 long balls this season.

C’mon… im always a fan of deep scouting and digging down for breakout potential but let’s take it one step at a time. A borderline AAA/MLB SP with very little ML success shouldn’t be in a conversation about pitchers about to become Aces… a ‘hot take’ about him having a breakout season and establishing himself as a legitimate major league starting pitcher — I could buy that. It might be a little out in left-field. But it’s atleast in the ballpark, or comparatively to the Miranda prediction — it’s at least in the same state.